Flood recovery

This page includes information for producers recovering from flood impacts. If you are currently affected by floods, below is a list of alert services, relevant contacts and support as well as resources for managing and recovering from flood.

If you are currently affected by floods, below is a list of alert services, relevant contacts and support as well as resources for managing and recovering from flood.

Alert services

Key Contacts

Dealing with flood

Farm and livestock management resources

For producers and advisors dealing with flooding, the following resources provide guidance for managing the wellbeing, handling and movement of livestock.

Farm and livestock management resources

For producers and advisors dealing with flooding, the following resources provide guidance for managing the wellbeing, handling and movement of livestock.

• Disaster recovery for livestock farms (Queensland Government)
• Managing cattle after a natural disaster(Queensland Government)
• Containment Feeding Guidelines- a guide for producers
• Managing NLIS and animal requirements during natural disasters including how to identify and return displaced stock (Queensland Government
•  Is the animal fit to load? A national guide to the pre-transport selection and management of livestock (MLA)
• Integrity systems Company: Natural Disaster- Floods

Financial and other assistance

Disaster Assist shows the Local Government Areas across Australia that have been declared disasters and outlines any recovery payments that have been announced.

NSW support

• Natural disaster relief loans and transport subsidies are available to people in declared natural disaster zones in NSW.
• Disaster relief low interest rate loans are available to primary producers and small business.
• A natural disaster assistance transport subsidy is available to eligible farmers who are affected by a declared natural disaster event. This subsidy pays for the cost of transporting:
• fodder and/or water to an affected property
• stock to sale or slaughter
• stock to/from agistment.

QLD support

• Personal Hardship financial Assistance is available for flood impacted residents and communities in parts of Queensland.

ATO support

The ATO has special considerations and support in place for businesses affected by flooding. They can assist in a range of ways, including offering more time to lodge and pay, or reissuing tax documents or records. For more information, visit ato.gov.au/dealing with disasters or phone 1800 806 218.

Flood recovery

Careful management can help minimise the impacts on productivity when a flood event occurs. Knowing the signs of pasture damage, parasites and disease that occur during and after flood events can make recovery faster and more effective.

Animal health

After a flood, livestock can be particularly susceptible to certain types of parasites and diseases. Populations of biting or nuisance insects may also increase.

Parasites

• Recent rain may cause an increase in flies. Flystrike, particularly body-strike, can be caused by wet wool and dermatitis and after a flood sheep should be monitored daily.
• Cattle ticks thrive in warm and humid conditions, which can lead to tick fever after floods or major rain events in Northern Australia.
• Floods provide ideal conditions for several species of gastrointestinal worms to flourish. Effective worm control is needed to reduce parasite burdens in both sheep and cattle. Use worm testing tools such as worm egg counts (WEC), larval cultures or the Haemonchus dipstick to develop targeted drenching and grazing programs.

Diseases

• Clostridial diseases, such as blackleg and pulpy kidney can increase due to bacteria commonly found in contaminated water and soil. Ensure all livestock vaccinations are up-to-date.
• Investigate sheep lameness, as virulent footrot often occurs in wet and warm conditions.
• Watch for symptoms of three day sickness and Akabane as populations of biting insects such as mosquitoes increases.

Additional considerations are outlined in this livestock diseases following floods factsheet (Qld Govt).

Post-flood actions

To ensure animal health and welfare after a flood:

• Keep livestock away from areas that have been spoilt with floodwater from stockyards or other areas that had a high build-up of manure and urine.
• Monitor lactating cows and ewes as environmental mastitis is caused by mud and bacteria.
• Inspect hay and grain for water damage or toxic mould growth as pasteurellosis, salmonellosis and botulism are bacterial diseases caused by ingesting contaminated feed or water that may become more prevalent after a flood.
• Implement a weed control program and restrict livestock from areas where toxic plants may be present.
• If livestock show signs of ill-thrift or illness, seek immediate advice from veterinarians or DPI animal health officers.
• Check fences and ensure they are stock-proof to enable biosecurity to be managed and protected.